An enticing cover, an intriguing blurb, and an endorsement by Stephen King, The Hunger became a must read!
What began as a brave and bold adventure has become a nightmare.
The searing heat of the desert gives way to biting winds as they get closer to the mountains. The snows freeze the cattle where they stand.
The spectre of starvation looms and the children have begun to disappear.
Rumours are whispered, fingers pointed and accusation made as the survivors turn against each other.
And winter is closing in . . .
Having finished this book last month, I’ve spent several days pondering what to write in this review. I enjoyed this novel but have been struggling how to convey why. I was firstly, drawn to The Hunger due to its cover, it showcased two things I love in books – firstly, plots based on true stories, and secondly, the wintry landscape. So, let’s look at those two elements in more detail.
Based on the true story of the Donner party’s journey across America, in search of a better future, facing the harshness of the weather, but also how people can turn on each other when times get hard. I’d not heard of the Donner party’s journey before so everything in this plot was new to me, and what a journey it was! The landscape, the unforgiving winter, alongside the supernatural element, created this eerie, unsettling atmosphere that never quite goes away. When you are being hunted, isolation is never the answer, especially when you are not sure who or what is doing the hunting.
There were some great characters in this novel, some dominant personalities that really helped carry the story along. Everyone has their own reasons for joining this trek, and some characters you learn about in more detail, and this really helps strengthen their presence and influence in the plot. As supplies start running low, and people become less forgiving, the tension mounts and you begin to fear for everyone’s survival.
I loved the vivid images created in this novel, the description of the terrain, particularly the blistering cold; that’s enough to kill a man, let alone the danger of being hunted too. As the plot moves along, the conditions worsen, the cracks in the group start to form, and the hunger kicks in.
The Hunger is an intense, and well written, blend of historical fiction and horror, with a nice supernatural edge. The plot starts off slow, but the foreboding is ever present. I can’t think of any book to compare this one to, it totally stands on its own merit – the best I can do is compare it to the The Grey, starring Liam Neeson, in terms of the desperation, isolation and harsh weather. I cannot wait to watch The Hunger played out on the big screen. I absolutely recommend this novel!
This book is available to buy from: Amazon UK / Book Depository
I love the graphics you included with this review!
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Thank you, all the credit has to go to Marija @ https://insidemylibrarymind.wordpress.com/ as she made them for me 😊
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This book does sound incredible! Fabulous review.
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Agh, this review makes me want to read the book even more! I’ll have to get my hands on it soon… even though I have too many books as it is! 😛
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One can never have too many books 😂
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This one sounds fantastic!! We actually stopped along Donner Pass on our honeymoon to check out the views…didn’t realize that was where we were and then spent the next few hours googling everything Donner party!
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O wow, you definitely have to read this one then, that was a sign!
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Yaaay another book we agree on fab review, I never expected to like this book but ended up loving it so different to anything else x
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Thank you – we’re in book-sync 😏 It is so different to everything else out at the moment, and I think that’s what makes the story so appealing.
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Great review! I liked this book a lot, and i’m not one for historical stuff. But this was creepy enough to be considered a horror story as well.
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Thank you. And yes, I think it’s actually listed under horror in most book outlets. Historical Crime Fiction exist, does Historical Horror Fiction 🤔😂
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I’ve had this on my wish list for so long. After reading your review I’ve just bumped it Janel. Fantastic! 🤗
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Yes, read it ASAP 😃
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This is a great review, Janel! Thanks for putting it on my radar.
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I’m glad I could, this one is definitely worth a read! 😊
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I couldn’t really get into this book! You mentioned it starts out slow, so maybe I should have given it more of a chance before I dropped it.
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Hmm, it depends how much you’ve read. The pace does pick up but it isn’t thriller-books-pace (if that makes sense)
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I know exactly what you mean!
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